Robert Green's save helps Chelsea beat Lyon on penalties

LONDON -- Robert Green was the hero as Chelsea defeated Lyon 5-4 on penalties after the two sides played out a goalless draw in an International Champions Cup friendly at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

On as a substitute, Chelsea's third-choice goalkeeper saved from Pape Cheikh Diop in an otherwise faultless shootout to allow Eden Hazard the opportunity to convert the winning spot kick on his first appearance since the World Cup.

With this game just two days on from Chelsea's defeat by Manchester City in the Community Shield, Sarri made 11 changes. Willian captained the side on his first start under the new head coach, while academy prospect Marcin Bulka got the nod in goal with Thibaut Courtois still in self-imposed exile.

It was another man facing an uncertain Chelsea future who began brightest. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, itching to prove he deserves a first-team role under Sarri this season, showcased his sharp first touch, awareness with the ball at his feet and powerful running as the Blues made a promising start.

Lyon created the clearer chances of the first half, though, with former Chelsea loanee Bertrand Traore particularly lively on his return to Stamford Bridge. Shortly after he saw a curling shot blocked by the impressive Ethan Ampadu, Memphis Depay cut in from the opposite flank and forced a save from Bulka.

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Chelsea's defending was as sloppy as their passing was uninspired at times and when they failed to clear a corner, Lucas Tousart volleyed just wide. Houssem Aouar then missed a gilt-edged chance to break the deadlock, scuffing his shot badly when found unmarked in the box by Depay.

Forward surges from Loftus-Cheek and Willian had provided Chelsea's best moments of an often tepid opening 45 minutes, and the Brazilian forced a great save from Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes with a curling free kick right on the stroke of half-time.

Sarri made no substitutions at the break but Chelsea's intensity picked up again. Loftus-Cheek went close to producing the highlight moment his performance deserved, spinning into the penalty area with one brilliant touch and chipping the onrushing Lopes -- only for his effort to clip the outside of the post.

Soon after, Loftus-Cheek switched play neatly to Victor Moses, and Tammy Abraham headed the Nigeria international's floated cross wide at the back post. Sarri's first substitutions followed, with N'Golo Kante coming on alongside Jorginho and Ross Barkley to huge cheers from Chelsea and Lyon fans alike.

Kante slotted in on the right of Jorginho, a position in which Sarri wants his midfielders to attack the penalty area, and the Frenchman forced a good save from Lopes after a perfectly-timed run into the box was rewarded by an incisive pass from Chelsea's marquee summer signing.

Hazard followed Kante onto the Stamford Bridge pitch to an even louder reception in the 68th minute, taking the captain's armband. It didn't take long for his clipped free kick to find the head of Gary Cahill who kept the ball alive, and Barkley's subsequent shot had to be thwarted by a desperate block.

Lyon captain Marcelo could only curl a free kick over the crossbar and one trademark Hazard run was stifled as the match drifted towards a penalty shootout, the third in Chelsea's three ICC games. Green saved from Diop and Hazard nervelessly converted the final kick to ensure victory.